In part 1 and part 2 of this series, we talked about two key real-time scheduling algorithms and how they fit into our real-time database goals. We also covered why scheduling alone isn’t enough, and how precise time measurement, predictable rollback, well-placed verification points, and a bit of real-world profiling are what actually make “on time” possible.

In Part 1 of this series, we talked about two key real-time scheduling algorithms — Earliest Deadline First (EDF) and Priority Inheritance (PI) — and how they tie into our real-time database management goals. Those algorithms decide when each transaction should run, but that’s only the beginning.

In hard real-time systems, deadlines aren’t suggestions, they draw the line between working and failing. Every task must finish exactly when it should; even a tiny slip can ripple through and throw everything else off balance.

Wavelynx Technologies collaborated with McObject in order to introduce eXtremeDB’s interoperable embedded database into Wavelynx’s innovative building access control reader. The partnership allows real-time data management for secure and scalable access control in commercial applications.

In programming jargon, the term “real time” is not used in its literal sense, which can be confusing. The literal definition means that when something happens in real time, it happens instantaneously. But in practice, something that occurs very quickly is mistitled as being real-time. Why does the misconception continue to occur, and what problems does it cause? This is the beginning of the discussion I had with Steve Graves, the Founder and CEO of McObject, on this week’s Embedded Executives podcast. Steve has to deal with this issue regularly, so his opinions are quite valid.

Seattle, Washington and München, Germany. McObject, the developer of the eXtremeDB embedded database system, shared that CORTEX Biophysik is now using eXtremeDB in its Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing devices to deliver enhanced cardiovascular diagnostics for scientists, athletes, and healthcare providers.

So-called ‘real-time’ databases are popular these days. Here’s some quotes from the internet:

Firebase: “The Firebase Realtime Database is a cloud-hosted database. Data is stored as JSON and synchronized in realtime to every connected client.”

Hazelcast: “A real-time database is defined as a data store that collects, processes, and/or enriches incoming data in real time, immediately after the data is created.”

InfluxDB: “Today, a real-time database can mean different things. This glossary page considers two categories of real-time databases.